By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, US Senator Luther Strange (R) was selected to be the Co-Chairman of the Values Action Team caucus. The Values Action Team Caucus is a leading Force for Pro-Life and Religious Liberty Legislation.
Sen. Strange said in a statement, “Religious freedom is what brought early settlers to our shores and is a fundamental part of our government and culture. Today more than ever, this freedom must be preserved and extended to the most vulnerable among us. I am proud to join Chairman Blunt and my colleagues on the Values Action Team, and I look forward to working with them to protect the rights of the American conscience and bring Alabama values to Washington.”
Sen Strange said in a press release that he was joining fellow conservative Senators to lead the fight for religious liberty and the rights of the unborn and will serve in a leadership role.
The Senate Values Action Team caucus is leading the way on legislation to strengthen protections for churches and religious organizations.
Examples of legislation promoted by the caucus includes S. 264, the Free Speech Fairness Act) and S. 204 which provides access to experimental treatments for terminal patients. S. 204 is the Trickett Wendler Right to Try Act of 2017.
The Values Action Team is Chaired by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri).
Sen. Luther Strange was appointed to the US Senate by former Governor Robert Bentley (R) after Senator Jeff Sessions (R) was confirmed as US Attorney General. Strange was elected in 2010 as Alabama Attorney General. He was re-elected in 2014. Strange lost his first campaign, in 2006, for Lt. Governor to former Governor Jim Folsom Jr. in 2006. Prior to that Strange had a long and successful career as an attorney and lobbyist.
There will be a Special Election for the remainder of Sessions’ term later this year.
Senator Strange has announced that he is running for the seat.
Former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore (R), state Representative Ed Henry (R-Hartselle), and former Alabama Christian Coalition President Dr. Randy Brinson are also running in the August 15 Republican Primary for the US Senate seat. Marijuana legalization activist Ron Crumpton, who ran against Sen. Richard Shelby in 2016, has announced that he is running for the Senate seat as a Democrat. The special general election will be on December 12. Whoever wins the Senate seat will face voters again in 2020 for a full term.
